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THE 

NATIONAL CAPITOL, 



THE 



NATIONAL ARCHIVES, 



AND THE 



NATIONAL GOVERNMENT, 



SA^VED 



^y 



J^^lNUA^RY, 1861. 



WASHINGTON 

1865. 



the: 



NATIONAL CAPITOL, 



THE 



NATIONAL ARCHIVES, 



AND THE 



NATIONAL GOVERNMENT, 



JA-NTIJ^lEirsr, 1861. 



WASHINGTON 

1866. 



%' 






CORRESPONDENCE. 



Lidepeadence^ Ma.^ Nov, -30, 1855- 
Georqe B. Simpson, Esq., 

Dear Sir ; 

♦ * * * * * * * 

We have no news of interest, except tkat we are about to 
kave a border war with the 3'ankee abolitionists, in Kansas; 
both parties are armed. 

The MissGiirians are leaving daily to assist the pro slavery 
party. We are lookingr to hearing of a battle every hour. 

* * * " * * * * * 

Your obedient servant, 

(Signed) SAMUEL D. LUCAS. 



Lower Cascades, Columbia Rlccr, W, T., Feb. 7, 1856. 
Oenl. Samuel D. Lucas, Independence, Mo. 

Dear Sir 1 Your brief note of Kovember SOth ultim© 
reached me on the 5tk inst. 

The border difficulties of which you speak were foreseen 
by myself k^ng before the passage of Douglass' bill. 

The result that has followed the removal of the Missouri 
restriction was inevitable. 

The passage of that att I regarded as a second declaration 
of equal rights, removing every restriction, and inviting the 
two extremes of the Union to an open iiekl, in a fair contest 
for civil supremacy. 

Excitement, more from/mr than from reason, brought the 
heated factions of the two 'extremes into close proximity, and 
violence became inevitable. 

I deeply regret the conflict of arms, the sacrifice of human 
life, and the stain that attaches to the virgin soil of Kansas, 
by an appeal to brute force instead of human reason. I sin- 
.cerely hope the evils of civil war may be avoided, on the 



iecond sober thought of the people, by taking that common 
sense view of the ease which an enlightened world must take, 
and resign themselves to the dictates of reason, the suprema-: 
cy of the civil law, and tlie Constitution. 

Nothing can be gained by an appeal to arms ; the Xorth 
will loose its citizens and the South its institution; the numeri- 
cal strength of the North is as three to one. How can the 
South expect to stand before such an array of physical force, 
with a dangerous servile population of three millions in its 
midst? Suppose an appeal to arms be made; the South 
musters into the field an army of one million of men, the 
North an equal opposing force, and a contiict destroys each 
army ! The North has yet in reserve a population of fifteen 
millions of souls, with which it may abolish slavery, overrun 
the South, and maintain inviolate that sacred compact, the 
Confederation of tlicse States — the Constitution — the Union. 

The South has all to loose, the North all to gain. 

No, strike not the blow, the ties that bind the Union can- 
not be severed ; on the other hand, every blow but dulls the 
steel, while each resounding stroke rebounds with redoubled 
force, inflicting fresh wounds on the body politic, in each di- 
vision of the Union. My voice is for peace. Let not this 
great Republic divide against itself, but stand forth in bold 
relief and solid phalanx against the world, battling for Right, 
with reason inscribed upon her banner. Let the Eagle and 
the Banner be the watch-words of the people, while Liberty 
tauspends the scales of justice in which is poised equal laws 
and equal representation, guarded by the lielmet of truth, 
and illumined by the light of intelligence. 

Let not the people be swayed by interest or passion ; rather, 
let them move steadily forward with that high and noble 
bearing so characteristic of the Father of the Republic, and 
80 eminently worthy of imitation. Then, indeed, will 
America advance towards the accomplishment of that high 
and glorious destiny that awaits her in the] future. Then 
may it be the pride and boast of every American, as it was 
with the ancient Roman, to exclaim, / am an American citi- 
zen! Behold that beautiful galaxy of States, coufederated 
by the fraternal ties of a common brotherhood, developed 
and perpetuated l)y the universal intelligence of the people — 
this is my home. O Liberty, how beautiful are thy garments! 
Thy ways are ways of pleasantness and all thy paths are 

PFACE * * * * * * « 

Your friend and obedient servant, 

GEO. B. SIMPSON. 



Waiihimjlon OiUj, D. ('., December 30//', 1860. 

His Excellency, James Buchanan, 

" President of the United States. 

Sir: Advice unasked is seldom lieeded; still, it is not 
unfrequently the wisest and safest to follow, as it is usually 
disinterested. 

About four years ago I apprized you of the near approach 
of the events now transpiring in our midst, adverting to your 
personal safety in the following emphatic language : 

" Your stomach has already tasted the ])oison, your throat may 
yet feel the knife of this iniquitous inquisition" 

The " Constitution" newspaper of this morning informs ua 
of the resignation of Secretary Floyd, and the probable res- 
ignation of Secretaries Thompson and Thomas. 

This event, in my humble judgment is the most fortuitous 
that could have happened, as it leaves yow free to act. Call to 
your aid immediately Lieut. General Winfield Scott as Sec- 
retary of War, Hon. Daniel S. Dickenson of ]^ew York, as 
Secretary of the Interior, and Hon. James Guthrie of Ken- 
tucky, as Secsetary of the Treasury. 

This will enable you to defeat the enemies of our Government and 
preserve the Federal Union. 

Very truly yours, 

GEO. B. SIMPSON. 



Washinyton, D. C, January 2, 1861. 
Hon. Mr. McPherson, 

Sir: If you will extend your inquiries back to 1850, you 
will find that in 1853, the Hon. Jefferson Davis, then Secre- 
tary of War, ordered the Government arms and munitions of 
war from Fort Hall, in Oregon Territory, to be conveyed to 
Salt Lake City, and sold to Brigham Young ; in the same 
year he also ordered a large sale of muskets, rifles, sabres, 
swords, pistols, and other Government arms in St. Louis, Mo., 
all of which were purchased by the agents of Brigham Young. 

You will also find that the aforesaid Honorable (?) gentle- 
man is the leader of the present disunion movement in the 
South, and that he has been plotting, planning, and arming 
not only the 3Iormons but the people of the slave States for 
at least twehc years, and that he, with the other enemies of 
our government are determined to break it up if they can. 

But inquire into his conduct when Secretary of War under 
President Pierce, and you will get information of importance. 

GEO. B. SIMPSON. 



6 

Wa^hoigton Oty, D, <"., Jcuniar^ 23, 1861. 

Hon. John A. Drx, 

Secretary of the Treasury. 

Sir: ISTot knowing wliether the subjoined communication 
has been submitted to the President, therefore, I deem it my 
duty to place a copy in your hands, belicvini? the public ex- 
igencies to be a sufficient apology for so doing. 

Very respectful^, your obedient servant, 

GEO. B. SIMPSO^T. 



Washinyton Ciiy, D. C, January 13, 1861. . 
Charles Fowler, Esq. 

Sir : In accordance with my promise I hercwitli submit 
the progranmie of the secessionists per se which has been in 
process of maturing since the death of the lion. John C. Cal- 
houn. 

1 informed the President and his cabinet of the conspiracy 
in 1856 ; in 1857 I pressed the matter upon Mr. Buchanan 
and his Cabinet, which was the main cause of inducing the 
President to move a detachment of the United States Army 
against the rebellious Mormons ; in my intercourse with the 
P'resident on that occasion, I made use of the following em- 
phatic language, to wit : " The danger is not in Utah, it is in this 
Capitol — remember the fate of CcBsar — your stomach has already 
tasted the jJoison, your throat way yet feel the knife of this iniquitous 
inquisition." 

Recent events prove all I then foreshadowed; and yet 
more recent events disclose the alarming fact that the con- 
spirators designed to coerce the President to resign his office, 
that the executive government might devolve on the Vice 
President, who it is stated is pledged to the conspirators to ac- 
knowledge the Constitutional right of}<cccssion, thus gi\'ing to the 
whole southern movement the weight and influence of execu- 
tive sanction. This accomplished, they are then to seize the 
Federal Capitol, and on the 4th of March 1861, inaugurate 
John C. Breckenridge I'resident, and Gen'l Joseph Lane 
Vice President of the Southern Confederacy. 

When it was ascertained that they could not coerce the 
President into resignation, it was determined in secret con- 
clave to assassinate him prior to the 5th of February, 1861 : 
twhich will give them time to inaugurate their confederacy. 



a>iih the sanction of President Breckeicridge^ prior to the consti- 
tutional inauguration of tlie President elect. 

The Hon. Jetierson Davis is the leader of the whole south- 
ern incrvement. In 1853, while Secretary of War under 
President Pierce, he ordered all the arms, ammunition, and 
military stores at Fort HalU then in Oregon Territory, to be 
transported to Great Salt Lake City, and sold to Brigham 
Young. This was done by Capt. Brent, of the U. S. Army. 

In the city of St. Louis, Alissouri, in the same year^ an un- 
usual number of yagers, rifles, sabres, swords, &c., &c.,were 
also sold to the agents of Brigham Young, by order of Jef- 
ferson Davis, then Secretary of War, all of whicli were trans- 
ported to Utah in 1855 ; and in 1856, King Young was pre- 
pared for war and openly defied the Federal Government. 

Thus you will perceive that the Federal Government has 
been prostituted to purposes contemplating its own destruc- 
tion by its own accredited ministers ! and, this Honorable 
Senator from Mississippi not only armed the Mormons at the 
expense of the Federal Government, but be has armed all 
the cotton slave States, hence it is, that they too are now 
ready and prepared for rebellion. 

The safety of the Federal Government now depends on the- 
life of President Buchanan; if his life can be preserved till 
the executive government can be transferred to the in-coming' 
administration, we may escape civil war and revolution ; but 
should President Bucbanan and Lieut. General Scott be as- 
sassinated as is contemplated by the secret conclaves of mid-' 
night assassins, prior to the 5th of February, 1861, our beau-- 
tiful Washington will immediately fall into the hands of the 
enemies of our government, and the most fearful consequen- 
ces will follow — in all probability the public buildings will be 
destroyed, as well as the government archives, that the evi-- 
dence of their crimes perpetrated in the name and under the- 
sacred garb of law may be obliterated in the general wreck. 

I have much proof in my possession of the facts hereii> 
stated, and if an opportunity were offered whereby I eould 
give expression to them, I would gladly embrace it. 
Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

GEO. B. SIMPSON. 

1 may add by way of postscript that the enemies of our 
government openly boast of having two hundred thousand men 
pledged to their cause in the free States, whose business it 
will be in the event of a collision between the Federal an<S 
State Governments, to destroy railroads, telegraphs, eteawi-- 



8 

Loais, canals, unci other public convejauces, and, if need be^ 
to burn arsenals, dock-yards, magazines, and even cities I — in 
a word, to interpose every obstacle to the Fedei-al Govern- 
ment that evil geniusses can invent. 

G. B. S. 



Washington City, I). C, January 23, 1861. 

Kow, in connection with the foregoing, I am able to state 
further, that the disunion military organizations in this city 
now number between one and two thousand men ; that they 
are constantly enrolling members ; that they drill them in the 
open streets at night; and that it is their ^.r«/ purpose to 
march in bodies of from one hundred to three hundred mefi 
and take possession of all the public buildings on a nif/ht also 
Jixcd, between the hours of twelve and five, a. m. ; so that, on 
the morning following the contemplated seizure of the pub- 
lic buildings and consequently the Federal Capitol, the citi- 
zens will awake to the surprise of beholding the public build- 
ings converted into forts and their now apparently peaceful 
city bristling with the bayonets of citizen soldiary. 

On the announcementby telegraph of this event, the disun- 
ionists 2?cr se and their sympathisers in Virginia and Maryland 
are to rush immediately to the relief of the insurgents and 
thus hold the Federal Capitol. 

Now, Mr. Secretar}', I ask in all candor, if there is any pow- 
er in this Government to prevent the consummation of this 
design ? I have made this statement of facts with the view, if 
possible, that the Government may take such steps as shall 
avert the threatened catastrophe. 

By the loth of next month the issue will probably be de- 
cided. 

Hoping you will pardon the liberty I huve taken, T may 
eubscribe myself 3'our very humble. 

And obedient servant, 

GEO. B. SIMPSON. 



Fifth Auditor's Office. 

Washington, May 9th, 1861. 
Hon. John A. Dix, 

Sir : I desire to call your attention to a communication I 
had the honor of eubraitting to you on or about the 15th of 
January last. 



9 

In view of the present aspect of public afi'airs I cannot tod' 
forcibly impress upon your mind the truths set forth in the 
P. S. to that communication. Rest assured, my dear sir, that 
there are conspirators in the free States, and so soon as the 
Federal Government shall commence active operations in the 
field, so soon will the traitors in the free States commence 
burning our armories, powder magazines, navy yards, arse- 
nals, railroad bridges, steamboats, telegraphs, towns, and 
cities : in a word, they will not scruple at destroying life and 
property by any available means known to fiends and de- 
mons ; therefore, I would again urge upon you and through 
you the people of the free States, the absolute necessity of 
the most untiring vigilence. Look well to your armories, 
powder magazines, railroad bridges, public ware houses, &c. 
Allow none but loyal citizens to stand guard during theso 
times. 

I have a letter which would probably give you a clue to 
conspirators in New York city. If advisable, will send you 
a copy. 

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

GEO. B. SIMPSON. 



New Yoke, 31ay 12, 1861. 
Geo. B. Simpson, Esq. 

Dear Sir : If convenient, would you be kind enough to 
send me a copy of the letter to which you refer. 

I am, dear sir, yours very truly, 
(Signed) JOHN A- DIX. 



Washington GUj, D. C, May Ibih, 1861. 
Hon. John A. Bix : 

Sir : Your note of the 12th of May inst. requesting copy 
of a letter referred to in a former note from me has been r©» 
ceived. 

The letter to which I referred is dated, 

" 2 , N. Y., Apnl m, 1860." 

The portion to which I specially referred, is as follows : 

" I expect to see the people hang them (Greely, Seward, 
and Co.,) as traitors before two years. There is a bitterness 
here now between the two parties, that makes them look at 

2 



10 

fiach other with blood-shot .eyes. The next canvass will be 
one of life and death. The Fanatics are paving the way, and 
threatening and brandishing their arms on every occasion. 
A littto blood-letting will do them good and we are hoping 
for ii. Let it beginin Washington and there will not be a 
fiiiiutic in this city in two hours after. There are two hundred 
of them marked. The negro thief, Lovejoy, is not so safe 
as he thinks for in this our land. There is a silent determined 
o'-qanization of s here that is terrible to think of, and mat- 
ters are suggested more shocking than the JF^^ench revolution." 

(Signed,) . 

These gentlemen, Col. , Doctor 



and other Virginia and southern 

men were at the head of this organization ; and, from 

what has since transpired, I deem it but my duty to place 
these facts in your hands. 

The following is my reply : 

Washington n. a, April 18th, 18&0. 
Col. : 

My dear Sir : Your apology was abundantly satisfactory. 
In regard to the Charleston Convention, you will probably 
be disappointed in its action : its nominee may not have been 
yet named by the public press. 

In regard to the determined future action of individuals, 
in certain contingencies, I entertain no serious apprehension ; 
I regret to learn, however, that such individuals exist in any 
community or in any country ; however, inasmuch as they 
are believed to exist, they will, should certain contingencies 
arise, attempt to carry out their determination. However 
much such action may be deplored by all self-governing men, 
it can only result in riot or attempted revolution, in which 
latter respect they will probably be disappointed, inasmuch 
as the popular isentiment of the American people is averse 
to it. 

The people in this country have assumed the prerogative 
of a Court, and in all matters affecting their interests, they 
jud^e of the fact from the evidence before them, and, after 
rendering a just and even-handed judgment, they proceed to 
execute that judgment. 

The American people are a reading, thinking, reasoning 
people, therefore no pretext can be sprung upon them in such 
fonn and under such circumstances as to mvolve any conside- 
rable number of thern in action, until the evidence shall haVe 



11 

l)een adjudged of by the court and jury — the whole people ; 
therefore, if any attempt shall be made, such as your letter 
contemplates, it will not only be arrested but eflectually sup- 
pressed. 

I have no fears for the perpetuity of the American Union 
and the Federal Compact; they were instituted by God, and 
by Him they will be preserved inviolate ; and whosoever in- 
terposes obstacles to their continuance, will himself, with his 
obstacles, be removed out of the way of their divine working, 
even though it shall call for a sacrifice of three millions of 
men. God, and truth, and right, are mighty, and they will 
prevail. 

Receive my kind regards, and belive me. 

Your friend, 

GEO. B. SBIPSOK 



It is not impossible that Mr. , also of your city ; 

and , and Col. , of Philadelphia, and other 

prominent, wealthy, and iutluential men are in this conspi- 
racy to disrupt the Government. I have positive proof of 

and , the lenders in , and their 

agents and aids in Foreign countries who have long since 
avowed their determination to destroy this Government. It 
was this proof also referred to in my communication to you 
on or about the 15th of January last 

However incredible these facts may appear to you, they 
are, nevertheless, true, and before this difficulty is perma- 
nently settled truths will come to light that will astonish the 
world ; and be not alarmed when I assure you that 3Io7iarch- 
ists in Europe are the main springs of the whole movement. 

In the present state of public affairs, these facts claim your 
serious consideration. 

I am, sir, very truly, yours, 

GJEO. B. SIMPSON. 



12 



IMPERFECT TELEGRAPH. 



-m — &r—m — m — ^ — f^ 




Indicating Mnchine. 

Waslimgton City, D. C, June 5, 1861. 

Hon. "William H. Seward,^ 

Secretary of State : 

Sir : Herewith please find rough drawuig representing im- 
perfect telegraph lines. 

Assuming all the telegraph lines now in the possession of 
the Federal Government to be j^erfect, the natural inference 
would be, that the Government could conceal from the pub- 
lic all its important telegraphic dispatches. On the other 
hand, assuming an important line extending from this city 
in a northern direction as imperfect, in the manner indicated 
in the drawing, and you will perceive that all messages dis- 
patched over that line must pass through an indicatinr/ machine 
concealed from the public and in the hands of the enemies of 
the Government ! I do not know this fact to exist, but I think 
it possible and highly probable, inasmuch as some of our 
enemies appear to understand all the movements of Govern^ 

ment. 

It would require a very minute examination of the tele- 
graphs to discover a diversion of a continuous line, for the 
reason, as appears in the drawing of the imperfect line, that 
the disconnexion may be very slight and entirely concealed 
by a covering of gutta percha or other material. 

My only object in making this suggestion is to put the 
Government in possession of information of a possible defect 
jn its telegraphic operations. 

I nave the honor to be, verv respectfullv, 

GEO. B. SIMPSON. 

Tnvenior of the Sub-marine Telegraph Cable, 

5ih Auditor's Office, U. S, Treasury^ 



13 

Washington City, D. C, December 18^, 1861. 

Hon. Gideon Wells. 

Secretary of the Navy : 

Sir : From the present aspect of our ITational affairs, a 
war with England is not improbable. 

I would therefore most respectfully suggest, that a marine 
or submarine ioiyedo may be constructed for blowing up the 
enemy's ships at a distance of one, five, or a greater number 
of miles ; that a submarine armor or boat may also be con- 
structed for the purpose of attaching explosives to the bottom 
of ships, to be ignited by a galvanic or electric battery, and 
thus accomplish the same object. 

It is therefore confidently believed by the undersigned, 
that missels of war may be thus created at comparatively 
trifling expense, which, when put into practical operation 
will exterminate the English navy within ninety days. 

A strong desire for the welfare of my country induces me 
to offer these suggestions. 

I have the honor to be, 

"Very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

GEO. B. SIMPSOif, 

Inventor of the Submarine 2'elegraph Cable. 



Washington, December, 1861. 

I HEREBY CERTIFY, That I have known Geo. B. Simpson, 
Esq., for a number of years intimately, and have had conver- 
Bations with him relative to the exciting questions involving 
our common country, and have ever held him as an uncom- 
promising friend of the Union, and that before the com- 
mencement of our troubles in travelling in Utah and Kansas, 
he ascertained some matters relative to the movements of 
the conspirators then holding high positions under this Gov- 
ernment, which he endeavored to expose by well written ar- 
ticles in the Xational Intelligencer in 1857, and had his 
timely warning then been heeded, a preventive might have 
been initiated to prevent the wholesale devastation made on 
the property and armiea of the United States, by the rebel 
States. I, therefore, unhesitantly, assert from my personal 
knowledge of Mr. Simpson, no truer friend to the Union as 



u 

it was, and as it is bound again to be, does not exist in this 
district, 

THOMAS C. DONN, 

Justice of the Peace for Washington County^ 

Jjisirici of Columbia, 



To Hon. Salmon P. Chase, 

Secretary/ of the Treasury of the United States of America : 
Sir : It is with the profoundest astonishment^ that I learn 
a charge of disloyalty has been preferred against ]Mr. George 
B. Simpson, a clerk employed in your department. Such a 
charge certainly could not have come from any truly loyal 
man who knew him. From my acquaintance with him and 
knowledge of his acts during last winter, while I was em- 
ployed as one of the extra police force for the protection and 
defence of the National Capitol, I should not have been 
more surprised, had your honor been thus charged. During 
that period of darkness, doubt, treachery, and treasonable 
plottings, when this city swarmed with disloyal persons, this 
gentleman communicated to me and to the Capitol police 
generally, importont information concerning the machina- 
tions of the plotters of rebellion in this city, to guard us 
against surprise, and in every becoming way, showed himself 
to be a true and hearty friend of the Republic, and zealous 
to expose treason and traitors to the proper authorities. The 
details of what came within ray own knowledge, I am ready 
to communicate and establish by the due forms of law when- 
ever called upon to do so bv the proper authorities. 

MOSES FOSTER. 
Washington, D. G, December 4:, 1861. 



Note — Secretary Chase removed me from office in the U. States 
Treasury (to which position Secretary Dix appointed me for havinsf 
furnished the information herewith submitted,) upon the perjured 
oath of one John A. Rliller, given before the Potter Investigating 
Committee of the House of Representatives, and after all the evi- 
dence of my devotion to the Union herewith submitted, with ten 
times as much similar testimony not herewith submitted, had been 
placed in his hands as a disclaimer to the said perjured oath of 
John A. Miller, he, Secretary Chrase, refused to reinstate me, thus 
giving the weight of his influence and position '\n favor of an in- 
quisition whose only merit seemed to be the secrecy with which it 
executed its nefarious designs. 

GEO. B. SIMPSON. 



15 

History of the Civil War in America, by John S. C. Abbott, 
Vol. 1, page 51. Is tke following letter : 

Washington^ January 7, 1861. 
My dear Sir : " On the other side is a copy of resolutions 
adopted at a consultation of Senators from the seceding States, 
in which Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, Arkansas, Texas, 
Mississippi, and Florida, were present. The idea of the meet- 
ing was, that the States should go out at once, and provide for 
the early organization of a Confederate Government, not 
later than the 15th of February. This time is allowed to 
enable Louisiana and Texas to participate. It seemed to be 
the opinion, that if we left here, force, loan, and volunteer 
bills might be passed, which would put Mr. Lincoln in im- 
mediate condition for hostilities, whereas, by remaining in 
our places until the 4th of March, it is thought we can keep 
Mr. Buchanan's hands tied, and disable the Kepublicansfrom 
efi'ecting any legislation which will strengthen the hands of 
the incoming Administration." 

In haste, yours truly, 
(Signed,) D. L. YULEE. 

True copy, U. S. Senate., 

George B. Simpson, August, 1865. 



On the retirement of John B. Floyd from the "War Office, 
Hon. Joseph Holt, was appointed to succeed him. 

On the 18th of February, 1861, Mr. Holt addressed a letter 
to the President in reply to a resolution of the House of 
Representatives, inquiring into the state of the defences in 
Washington City. 

The foUowiug are extracts from this letter : " At what 
time the armed occupation of Washington City became a 
part of the revolutionary programme is not certainly known ; 
more than six weeks ago, the information had been already 
obtained, that the conspiracy for the accomplisment of this 
guilty purpose was in process of formation, if not fully ma- 
tured." 

" Whatever may have been the machinations of deluded, 
lawless men, the execution of their purposes has been sus- 
pended, if not altogetlier abandoned, in view o^f preparations 
which announce more impressively than words, that this ad- 
ministration is alike able and resolved, to transfer in. peaco 



16 

to the President elect the authority tfiat, imder the Constitu- 
tion, belougs to him." 

(Signed,) JOSEPH HOLT. 

History of the Civil "War in America, by John C. Abbott, 
Vol. 1, pages 82 uiid 84. 

A true copy, 

Geo. B. Simpson, August^ 1865. 



The extracts from the letter of Mr. Holt and the fall letter 
of Senator Yulee (brothers-in-law) are conclusiveproof of all 
that is stated in my communication to Hon. John A. Dix, 
then Secretary of the Treasury. 

Now, let us look at the political situation for a moment as 
it is now known to have existed at that period. 

The Government was in the hands of James Buchanan ; 
and it has been erroneously alledgcd that he was one of the 
original conspirators; but if persons will take the trouble to 
examine into the facts as they then existed, it will appear 
plain to every honest and unbiased mind that, had he been 
one of the original conspirators against the life of the Kepub- 
lic he had it in his power to have transferred the Government 
into their hands. When, however, he failed to recognize 
the " Consiiiutional right" of a State to secede from the Fed- 
eral Union, a commission was instituted in South Carolina 
and authorized to proceed to "Washington and remind the 
President of his implied obligation to the South, in this, the 
emergency which tried their very heart-strings, which com- 
mission signally failed in the accomplishment of its desired 
object. 

Prior to the return of this commission it was decided in 
solemn council to assassinate the President, and, if necessary, 
to assassinate Lieut. Gen'l Winfield Scott, when Vice Presi- 
dent Breckenridge would succeed to the Presidency, who 
would instantly recognize the " Consiiiuiional right of a Slate to 
secede from the Federal Union" by official proclamation, when 
the Capitol would be seized, a military line would be estab- 
lished along the southern border of Pennsylvania, and on the 
4th of March following, Messrs. Breckenridge and Lane 
•would be inaugurated President and Vice President of tho 
United States. This course was essential to secure the reeog' 
nition of foreign governments, as wiihout the Executive sanction 
to the Constitutional ri-ght of a State to secede, the act would 



17 

have been regarded by them as an usurpation ; and vpon thi-s 
point turned (he whole controversy ; therefore, in communicating 
these facts to Secretary Dix, I expressed the opinion in effed 
that, " everything now depends on the preservation of the life of 
President Buchanan until the Government can be transferred to the: 
incoming admimstraiion. ' ' 

Had President Buchanan been one of the original' conspi- 
rators there coukl have been no necessity for the South Caro- 
lina Commission ; and in all human probability a know^ledgc 
of the consph-acy would not have accidently fallen into my 
possession ; on the contrary, Mr. Buchanan would have un- 
qualiiiedly recognized the right demanded by foreign Govern- 
ments, the Federal Capitol would have been seized on or be- 
fore the 15th day of February, 1861 ; a military line would 
have been established on the southern border of Pennsylva- 
nia, and on the 4th of March following, Messrs. Breckenridge 
and Lane would have been inaugurated l*resident and Vice 
President of the United States, and this Government would 
have been recognized by all the leading Foreign Ministers at 
Washington as the Government dc facto of the United States. 

Xow, suppose this information had not accidentally fallen 
into my hands ; or, having fallen into my hands, I had failed 
either from design or otherwise to communicate it to the 
proper authorities; what would have been the result? Whv, 
the conspirators wotild have had the government ; the Federal 
(""apitol and its National archives, the Army, Navy, Treasury, 
and Department of State, all would have been theirs, confir/n- 
rd by the recognition of nearly all the foreign Governments. 
Suppose, again, under these circumstances the Republican 
party had attempted to organize a new government under 
Messrs. Lincoln and Hamlin, where would they have met 't 
In Philadelphia, New York, or Boston, of course. What 
would President Breckenridge have said to this assembly 'i 
Would he not have declared it a treasonable convention and 
(•nlered its members to disperse, giving them a reasonabh' 
time to do so, and in the event of a failure on their part to 
comply with this order, would he not, as the recognized 
President of the United States, have called for volunteers t<» 
defend the Capitol and suppress the rebellion? Would he not, 
in accordance with prior utiderstanding, have called upon 
England, France, and Spain, l)y the use of their navies to aid 
in the blockade of our northern coast from the St. John'fci to 
to the entrance of the Chesapeake? Would not the wholt- 
(^anadian frontier have been in harmony and fraternal accord 
^ith tho movement ? Would not the Mexican scheme tuivt- 



18 

been a complete success and its Government a powerful ally ? 
And, with the great Democratic party at that time through-, 
out the free States fully sympathizing and fraternizing with 
them, what, let me ask, cauld the Republic Convention and 
party have done ! "Without pursuing these inquiries further, 
I will give it as my deliberate opinion, that the insurgent 
movement would have been a success, and would have com- 
pelled either a seperation of the States or a compliance with 
the demands of the South upon the question of Slavery. 

However, this, now, is mere speculation ; the issue was 
joined and has been decided; and the American Republic 
lives, lives ever ! 

The statement made in this paper relative to a knowledge 
of the fact and a participation in the original act of the con- 
spiracy by some of the Foreign Ministers at "Washington, can- 
not, I suppose, be established by documentary proof; never- 
theless, I know the statement to be true from personal ac- 
quaintance and intercourse with some of the eight or ten 
Englishmen who at that time edited the Constitutional news- 
paper, all of whom were in the interests of and were leagued 
with the original conspirators, and some of whom were in 
daily intercourse with Lord Lyons, the British Minister. 
Subsequent facts, however, more than confirm the statement ; 
and it will be difficult for either England or France ever to 
convince the American people that the fact is not as stated. 
As for myself, I firmly believe that evidence of their compli- 
city in the treason will yet come to light which will fully con- 
vict them. 

Very respectfullv, 

GEO. B. SIMPSON. 
Gettysburg , Pa,, September bth, 1865. 



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